About the American Legion

Legionnaires and visitors now have the opportunity to view a selection of pieces from the comfort of their homes. A virtual tour of the Emil A. Blackmore Museum at The American Legion’s National Headquarters is available. There, the history of the organization is illustrated by items such as the gavel and block used to preside over the first national convention in Minneapolis in 1919; the wars Legionnaires have fought in through a captured Viet Cong AK-47; and Legion programs and causes presented by items such as a promotional bat from the 1965 American Legion World Series, held in Aberdeen, S.D. In fact, the tour even offers a few sights not on view in the museum. A statue of St. Michael the Archangel was presented to the Legion by General Armando Diaz, head of Italy’s military forces in World War I.

On most of the FOBs and COBs (Forward Operating Bases and Contingency Operations Bases) the trash that accumulates each day is put into a burn pit, most often a 50-gallon drum, liberally sprinkled with gasoline, and incinerated. On cold mornings, groups of service-members and local allies can be found huddled around the burn pit seeking warmth and camaraderie. Although the health risks associated with such behavior are only now fully being recognized, troops have long suspected this was not an entirely healthy endeavor. But, most were willing to join their brethren for the heat, the conversation and the feeling of belonging to something bigger than themselves. The American Legion Burn Pit is no different: slightly irreverent, fluid, fast moving, and meant to inspire the sort of “water cooler discussions” which the burn pits on COBs and FOBs foster. It can be found at http://burnpit.us/ with recent items below.

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The inscription, in Italian on the statue, reads: "To The American Legion and to its officials and members, who fought with valor on the bloody battlefields of the Great War at the side of the soldiers of Italy. With affectionate memory of comradeship. General Diaz, Rome, October 1921."

Emil A. Blackmore was the national adjutant of The American Legion from 1956-1967, when he died in office. A 1967 NEC resolution named the museum after Blackmore, due to his "deep personal interest" in it.

Anyone interested in viewing the pieces in person is welcome to visit the museum at National Headquarters in Indianapolis. Its hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The museum is closed on weekends and national holidays.